Advocated successfully for the passage of bills in the Arizona legislature that seek to improve communication between health care providers and family members as well as improving overall transparency.

Served on former Gilbert, AZ Mayor John Lewis's Behavioral Health & Substance Use Task Force. As a member of this task force, we assisted in developing and implementing Crisis Care Team training for faith groups.

Have been mentioned in numerous publications for our support and advocacy of the seriously mentally ill. In addition to being written about we have spoken at numerous conferences and government functions to educate people on the problems in the system that lead to people with serious mental illness (SMI) not receiving the care they need.

Spoke at the ALEC National conference in December, 2017 in the HHS Task-force in support of the AZ Caregiver Bill of Rights which was subsequently adopted as model legislation.

A founding member of the Association for the Chronically Mentally Ill (ACMI) in Arizona that is working toward innovative housing solutions for the most fragile mentally ill in our state.

“The Geeslings (founders) are leaders in the fight for better care—not only in Arizona, but around the country.”

“P82 Project Restoration is offering an innovative private-sector solution, to this very serious public-sector problem, rather than just endlessly discussing the issue without any underlying action. This is a refreshing change."- John S. Hokanson Jr., former Program Assistant, Office of theMonitor, Superior Court of Arizona (Arnold v. Sarn).

Looking toward a better migration of care.

Ever since John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act into law on October 31, 1963, the nightmare has not ended for people and their families living with a serious mental illness. With every good intention to help individuals who have a serious mental illness (SMI) migrate out of institutions, and with the development of promising new medications, the deinstitutionalization movement ensued.

Change is a sluggish process that requires ongoing cultivation and attention. Instead of tending to this experiment with sustained vigor, the offloading of responsibility took root between the states and the Federal government in a ghastly game of "Hot Potato" with those who have more persistent SMI like Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder with psychotic features. From that day until now, the nightmare has not ended for this vulnerable population and their families.

Life with dignity is nearly impossible for someone who has a serious mental illness without an appropriate living situation. We would never agree to letting our aging parents with Dementia or Alzheimer's disease fend for themselves on the streets or place them in dirty, overcrowded group homes in drug infested neighborhoods. We would never move our parents into converted, dilapidated hotels in high risk areas and yet, that is exactly what we have chosen to do for most people with more acute brain illnesses. Yet, even with appropriate application of Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and the possible addition of more psychiatric beds, where do people with serious mental illness live after they are released from the hospital? Are they receiving adequate support? Are they living a life with dignity in our communities? Is this even possible? We wholeheartedly believe that it is!

Don't know where to begin? Start with the Caregiver Bill of Rights.

In 2016, Arizona's legislature passed the first of its kind Bill of Rights Resolution for families, caregivers, and guardians of individuals with a serious mental illness. With unanimous consent, the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives affirmed the crucial role that caregivers play in accessing care for their loved one.

A Resolution is not a Bill. It will not be signed into Law by your Governor and become statute. However, a Resolution can be a very important tool in educating your lawmakers regarding the needs of this fragile population. It also gives voice to families in your community who can testify before prominent committees at your state's Capitol.

FAMILY MEMBERS AND CAREGIVERS: KNOW WHO YOU ARE

You had dreams. Not one of those dreams involved your loved one being sentenced to a life long battle against a debilitating brain disorder. You raised your child with great hopes for their future. You loved your father, your sister, despite insurmountable and painful challenges - despite having little to no help or support. You suffer in silence and often endure unjust circumstances. You feel invisible. But you are not invisible, you're a hero. You don't need lawmakers to tell you how special you are, because it's already true. But here's the thing, it's pretty nice when they do.